As part of Reza Shah Pahlavi's broader modernisation of Iran, the country adopted the metric system as its official system of measurement in 1933 (formally consolidated in the 1930s). The reform replaced the diverse traditional Persian units of weight, length, and volume that had varied by region. It was one of several initiatives — alongside dress codes, legal reform, and education — designed to align Iran with European modernity.

Persian metrological reforms in 1930 influenced modernist poetry in Persia, as poets like Nima Yushij began to explore themes of progress and tradition. This intersection of science and art fostered a rich literary dialogue that reflected the complexities of modernity.